Exercise Device And Method Of Exercising

ABSTRACT

An exercise device includes a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, or to a fixed object adjacent a person. The belt has a front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a person. A pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords are mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt and a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord. A method of using the device and exercises that can be used therewith are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment and, in particular, to an exercise device and a method of exercising.

The invention has been developed primarily for use as a general fitness and training exercise device and will be described hereinafter with reference to this particular application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is applicable for use in other fields such as rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large variety of personal exercise equipment is known. Such comes in many shapes and sizes. A particularly common type of exercise equipment is a gymnasium machine that includes a weight stack mounted for vertical movement. The number of weights in the stack is selectable, and the stack is connected to one end of a cable. The cable is passed over one or more pulleys and extends adjacent to the machine at about the shoulder height of a person and is connected to one or more handles.

In use, a person is disposed adjacent the machine with their front pointing away from it. The person clasps the handle(s) from over their shoulder and extends their arms. This pulls the cable away from the machine resulting in the weight stack being moved vertically providing resistance to the pulling of the cable. It will be appreciated that these known types of exercise machines are capable of exercising a particular muscle group.

However, the conventional exercise machines are typically large and fixed to a floor. The machines therefore are best suited to a gymnasium or a large personal gym. Unfortunately, the use of the machines in a home environment is relatively prohibitive due to the significant cost of the machines. Furthermore, such machines are generally only configured to exercise a single muscle group, for example, the latissimus or shoulders can cannot be simply used to exercise other muscle groups.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable exercise device that can be used to exercise a plurality of muscle groups and that can be used in a plurality of environments, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed an exercise device including:

-   -   a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso         of a person, the belt having a front portion configured to be         disposed at the front of the person and a back portion         configured to be disposed at the back of a person;     -   a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal         cord end to the front portion of the belt; and     -   a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord.

Preferably, the belt includes a fastener disposed at each end such that when secured around the person the belt length can be selectively adjusted. More preferably, the belt is formed from two pieces wherein ends of a back belt piece are configured to be releasably mounted to the ends of a front belt piece.

In preferred embodiments, the elastomeric cords are mounted to a left-hand side and a right-hand side of the front portion of the belt, and cords are movable a predetermined distance along the length of the belt. More preferably, the elastomeric cords are looped at one end to allow their length to be adjusted and the cords are detachably mounted to the belt.

Preferably, the grip at the end of each elastomeric cord includes a stirrup or a glove.

According to second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of exercising using the device according to the first aspect or any one of its preferments, the method including the steps of:

-   -   fastening the belt around the hips, waist or torso of a person,         or a fixed object adjacent a person;     -   connecting the handle of each elastomeric cord to an arm or a         leg; and     -   extending the elastomeric cords.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of exercising using the device according to the first aspect or any one of its preferments, the method including the steps of:

-   -   placing the belt on a floor with the front portion of the belt         facing upward;     -   connecting the handle to each arm; and     -   extending the elastomeric cords in a pre-determined manner at a         pre-determined rate.

It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously provided an exercise device and a method of exercising that

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device according to a first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of an exercise device according to a second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exercise device according to another preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 4 shows the device of any one of FIGS. 1 to 3 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings generally, it is noted that like reference numerals are used to denote like components. In FIG. 1, there is shown a plan view of an exercise device 1 according to a first preferred embodiment. The exercise device 1 includes a belt 2 that is configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person.

The belt 2 includes a front portion 3 that is configured to be disposed adjacent the front of a person when secured about them. The belt 2 also includes a back portion 4 configured to be disposed adjacent the back of a person when secured to them.

The belt 2 includes a fastener 5 in the form of a buckle. The buckle 5 is disposed at one end 6 of the belt 2 such that the other end 7 of the belt 2 can be fastened thereto to secure the belt 2 about a person with a preferred degree of “tightness”.

A pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. The cords 8 and 9 are mounted to the front portion 3 at a proximal end of the cords and are disposed such that one cord 8 is disposed on a left hand side of the front portion 3 and the other cord 9 is disposed on a right hand side of the front portion 3.

Both of the elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. In FIG. 1, the cords 8 and 9 are mounted to the belt 2 to allow the cords to be selectively positioned along the front 3 of the belt 2. In this embodiment, the cords 8 and 9 have a latch 10 that removably engages with notches 11 to secure the proximal end of the cords 8 and 9.

The distal end of each cord 8 and 9 includes a grip 12 in the form of a glove. Each glove 12 is in the form of a sheet having a thumb aperture 13 such that the glove 12 is wrapped around the hand of a person. The glove 12 is secured to a hand with Velcro tabs 14 that engage with each other to secure the glove 12 on a hand.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an exercise device 1 according to a second preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the belt 2 is formed from two halves defining a belt front portion 3 and a belt back portion 4.

The belt back portion 4 includes a buckle 15 at each end, however, only one buckle is visible in FIG. 2. Each buckle 15 is configured to be secured to an end of the belt front portion 3 to secure the belt 2 to a person.

As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cords 8 and 9 are mounted to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. The cords 8 and 9 are retainable within one of three loops disposed on each of the left and right hand sides the front portion 3 of the belt 2. In this way, the cords 8 and 9 can be moved along the belt 2 to secure the proximal ends of the cords 8 and 9 in a preferred position.

The cords 8 and 9 are each looped around one of the loops on the belt front portion 3. These cord loops 16 are secured by a clamp 17 that can be selectively loosened to allow the loops 16 to be increased in size and thereby reduce the length of the cords 8 and 9, or the loops 16 decreased in size and thereby increase the length of the cords 8 and 9. In this way, the clamps 17 can be used to release the cords 8 and 9 from the belt front portion 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each grip 12 at the distal end of the cords 8 and 9 is in the form of a stirrup 12. A wrist strap 18 is disposed adjacent each stirrup 12. The wrist straps 18 are configured to wrap around the wrist of a person when gripping the stirrups.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the exercise device 1. In this embodiment, the device 1 includes a belt 2 having a front portion 3 and a back portion 4. The back portion 4 is in the form of a strap connected to the front portion 3. The strap of the back portion 4 is configured to releasably engage with a belt faster 5 disposed on the front portion 2.

The elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are fixedly mounted to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. The elastomeric cords 8 and 9 each include a handle 12 mounted to a free end.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, where there is shown various views of a person 19 exercising with the device 1. The person 19 exercising their biceps simply secures the belt 1 around their hips and their lower arms are moved upwardly against the bias of the elastomeric cords. Punching exercises are performed by securing the belt 1 about the torso of the person 19 and thrusting the arms forward in a reciprocating or piston-like manner. It will be appreciated the punching exercises can include uppercuts or other preferred type of punch.

Shoulder press exercises are performed by securing the belt 2 about the torso of the person 19 and extending both arms above their head. A delta fly exercise can be performed by securing the belt about the torso of the person 19 and having them raise their arms laterally or move them forward. Triceps extension exercises can be performed by securing the belt 2 about the torso of the person 19 such that the person leans forward by bending at the waist and then extending and bending their arms.

In the bicep curl exercise shown in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the belt 2 can be advantageously disposed about the knee or thighs of the person to perform the exercise in addition to about the waist/torso as shown.

Lower body exercises can also be used with the belt 2 by securing the grips 12 to the ankles of the person 19. For example, a leg extension exercise can be performed by securing the belt 2 about the waist of the person 19 where the person sits down and bends and flexes their knees. Likewise, squat exercises can be performed by securing the belt 1 about the waist of the person 19 where the person stands and bends and flexes both legs. In another lower body exercise, the belt one is disposed about the waist of the person and the grips 12 secured to be ankles of the person wherein the person thrusts their leg forward in a kicking manner.

In another form of exercise using the exercise device 1, the device 1 is placed on the floor with the front portion 3 of the belt facing upward. The person 19 stands on the belt and secures the grips to their hands. The person then bends slightly forward with their arms being pulled up in a rolling like manner.

The next exercise shown in FIG. 4 is a standing rowing exercise. It will be appreciated that the user can place the belt 2 about the ends of their feet when in a seated position so as to exercise by simulating a conventional rowing-type stroke. The user's legs can be bent or straight in the rowing exercise.

Although not illustrated, it will also be appreciated that other exercises can be performed with the device 1. For example, the belt 2 can be disposed about, or otherwise secured to, a fixed object that is on or adjacent a floor. In this way, the person can lay on their back or side with their head adjacent the belt 2 so that the cords 8 and 9 extend over their shoulder(s) to provide resistance against a forward or sideways sit-up movement.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An exercise device comprising: a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a person; a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord wherein each cord is removably mounted directly intermediate the front portion of the belt and a grip.
 2. An exercise device comprising: a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a person; a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord wherein the elastomeric cords are looped at one end to allow their length to be adjusted.
 3. An exercise device including comprising: a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed at the back of a person; a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord; wherein the grip at the end of each elastomeric cord includes a glove.
 4. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the belt includes a fastener disposed at each end such that when secured around the person the belt length can be selectively adjusted.
 5. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the belt is formed from two pieces wherein ends of a back belt piece are configured to be releasably mounted to the ends of a front belt piece.
 6. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the elastomeric cords are mounted to a left-hand side and a right-hand side of the front portion of the belt.
 7. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cords are moveable a predetermined distance along the length of the belt and fixable therealong.
 8. An exercise device according to claim 1 to 3 wherein the elastomeric cords are looped at one end to allow a respective length thereof to be adjusted.
 9. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the elastomeric cords are detachably mounted to the belt.
 10. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the grip at the end of each elastomeric cord includes a stirrup.
 11. An exercise device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the grip at the end of each elastomeric cord includes a glove.
 12. A method of exercising using the device according to claim 1, the method comprising: fastening the belt around the hips, waist or torso of a person, or a fixed object adjacent a person; connecting the handle of each elastomeric cord to an arm or a leg; and extending the elastomeric cords.
 13. A method of exercising using an exercise device including a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a person, and a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt, and a grip mounted to a distal end of each elastomeric cord, the method comprising: a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord; placing the belt on a floor with the front portion of the belt facing upward; connecting the handle to each arm; and extending the elastomeric cords in a predetermined manner and at a predetermined rate.
 14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of placing the belt on a floor includes on a floor under a user's foot/feet or under adjacent object.
 15. A method of exercising using an exercise device including a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a person, and a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt, and a grip mounted to a distal end of each elastomeric cord, the method comprising: a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord placing the belt behind a user's head with the front portion of the belt facing the user's head connecting the handle to each arm; and extending the elastomeric cords in a predetermined manner and at a predetermined rate.
 16. A method of exercising using an exercise device including a belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a person, and a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt, and a grip mounted to a distal end of each elastomeric cord, the method comprising: a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord; placing the belt over the soles of a user's feet with the front portion of the belt facing toward the user upward; connecting the handle to each arm; and extending the elastomeric cords in a predetermined manner and at a predetermined rate. 